Bills › 91st General Assembly

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of an accused to confront children and other witnesses

Proposed by the Attorney General · all agency proposals

Topics:Courts & civil lawCrime & corrections

Same legislation: SSB 1057, HJR 9, SJR 9

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 16, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 16, 2025
  3. Done: House committeeFebruary 24, 2025
  4. Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HJR 9
  5. Next: Senate committee
  6. Next: Passes the Senate
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Became HJR 9 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HJR 9 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary If passed, this amendment would allow the law to limit a person's right to face certain witnesses in court. This change would specifically apply to children and witnesses who have mental illnesses or disabilities. Voters would have the final say on whether this change is added to the state constitution.1

Read the official explanation

This joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right of an accused to confront children and other witnesses. The resolution provides that in order to protect children under the age of and any witness with a mental illness, intellectual disability, or other developmental disability, the right of an accused to confront such witnesses may be limited by law. The resolution, if adopted, would be published and then referred to the next general assembly (92nd) for adoption, before being submitted to the electorate for ratification.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed2

House subcommittee

Named January 16, 2025. On January 22, 2025 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

1 written public comment to its subcommittee: January 22, 2025 (1) · on the Legislature’s site

Lobbying

22 for · 2 against · 4 undecided · Who →

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